Intersting for several reasons

[BAJR]

http://sciblogs.co.nz/digging-the-dirt/tag/tanis/

Once upon a time archaeology was about being out with a map, a compass, a trowel and a good pair of boots. Now its ?Move over Indy?? Space Archaeology is here?the final frontier.
News reports this week here and here described how images of lost, undiscovered or misunderstood archaeological sites using NASA satellites, 435 miles above earth, are changing our understanding of ancient Egypt. ..........

Aside from the practicalities of its application, if you put together the images generated from this recent story with the words Space, NASA, Indiana Jones and Egypt?and you get a powerhouse story that is sexy, techy and looks good?its probably a good lesson in how archaeology should be advertising itself.


What is intersting is this last sentence... :face-huh:

[Marcus Brody]

There was a programme about this on BBC1 a couple of months ago - http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b011pwms - though I can understand that people may not have seen it as it was presented by the ever-annoying duo of Dallas Campbell and Liz Bonnin. Indeed, I think it was referenced by Councillor Melton in his defence of why developers shouldn't have to deal with archaeology, something along the lines of 'they're using satellites in Egypt to identify archaeology, why don't we do something like that in this country?'

[Dinosaur]

Don't think we're likely to find any new pyramids in this country that way though :face-crying:

-agree about the presenters though, they ruined what was otherwise a fascinating prog, although I'd imagine without them they'd never have screened it prime-time mid evening on BBC1, bit of a first for archaeology of any sort....

[BAJR]

Just to give away the last paragraph for those that have not read it.

Aside from the practicalities of its application, if you put together the images generated from this recent story with the words Space, NASA, Indiana Jones and Egypt…and you get a powerhouse story that is sexy, techy and looks good…its probably a good lesson in how archaeology should be advertising itself.

[Dinosaur]

Chronicle used to get plenty of viewers without debasing the subject matter or style of presentation down to the lowest common denominator? They just assumed that the viewers were at least moderately intelligent and explained stuff properly and in sufficient detail to suit all levels of prior knowledge. I think (but I'd imagine I'll get a kicking for saying this) that Tony Robinson is actually pretty good at that in all those 'specials' that Channel 4 keep producing (he's never given a chance to explain anything intelligently on TT) - the new Magnus anyone?

[kevin wooldridge]

This technology has of course wider and more profound applications.....

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/...43401.html

[deadlylampshade]

...and let us not forget that the airing of such a programme led to the comments from our dear Friend in the Fens about not needing to excavate because of the "availability" of such technology (mentioned on the Radio 4 programme/interview?)

And yes, Kevin, far more profound applications and sadly just as necessary.

What I would say, however, is that if these images are mass graves it does not necessarily mean that they are the result of massacre. One would consider that if you're going to murder people out of hand and bury them, why bother to wrap them first? This certainly wasn't the case with the some of the mass graves in Bosnia Herzegovina or, I believe, Rwanda.

[RedEarth]

Just to give away the last paragraph for those that have not read it.

You still haven't explained what is interesting about this sentence. I can't see the relevance to anything really. I would struggle to get the words 'Space, NASA. Indiana Jones and Egypt' into anything I am currently working on. Does that mean it now has no value?

[Dirty Dave Lincoln]

You still haven't explained what is interesting about this sentence. I can't see the relevance to anything really. I would struggle to get the words 'Space, NASA. Indiana Jones and Egypt' into anything I am currently working on. Does that mean it now has no value?

With some imagination a good/complete site report could mention: The Big Bang theory, Continental Drift and erm. fire-breathing Dragons???

[Dinosaur]

.....and Indy could always be sneaked in somewhere in the acknowledgements? - Jack knows all about the Super Mario Brothers......}